Health care

I am ill – what now?

Always carry your insurance card and residence document with you.

1. Common illness – Call your GP and make an appointment.
2. Evening, weekend, public holiday – Go to the out-of-hours emergency service (APS) at the nearest hospital.
3. Life in danger – Call 155 or 112.

Who does what

• General practitioner (všeobecný lekár) – first contact for common health problems and check-ups. Refers you to a specialist when needed.
• Specialist – e.g. gynaecologist, dermatologist, eye doctor, dentist, cardiologist. Check whether you need a referral and whether the clinic has a contract with your insurer.
• Out-of-hours service (APS) – sudden problems that need a quick check but are not life-threatening.
• Hospital emergency department (urgentný príjem) – serious acute conditions needing immediate examination.

What to bring to the doctor

• your insurance card and ID,
• a list of medicines you take,
• results of previous examinations,
• information about allergies and serious illnesses.

For common problems, start with your GP. If your Slovak is weak, prepare a description of your symptoms in advance – see When I don’t understand the doctor.

Health insurance

• Employee – publicly insured. Your employer registers you with an insurance company and pays contributions from your wage.
• Self-employed (SZČO) – registers themselves and pays advance contributions.
• Self-payer – if you are neither an employee nor self-employed but are entitled to public insurance, you pay it yourself.
• Commercial insurance – for those not entitled to public insurance. It is often required for a residence application. It covers less – read the conditions carefully.
• Family member – entitlement to public insurance is not automatic. Check it for your spouse and children.

Am I entitled to public insurance as a foreigner?

Having residence in Slovakia does not automatically mean you are publicly insured. It depends on your residence status, employment, business and possibly EU rules or international agreements. Two people of Vietnamese origin can have different conditions – do not rely only on what friends experienced.

Not sure about your insurance?

1. Find out whether you are in the public health insurance system.
2. Ask your insurer or the Health Care Surveillance Authority (ÚDZS).
3. With commercial insurance, check the policy is valid, what it covers, where, and its exclusions.
4. When you change job or residence, check whether your obligations change too.

Check your insurance early – when you move or change employer, not only when you need a doctor.

Health insurance companies

Slovakia has three public health insurance companies: VšZP, Dôvera and Union. Basic care is the same with all of them. They differ in benefits (contributions to vaccinations, glasses, preventive check-ups, app, customer service). We do not recommend a specific company – compare the benefits on their websites. You can change company once a year; the application must be submitted by 30 September.

Insurer benefits

Beyond standard care, insurers offer e.g. contributions to dental treatment or hygiene, medicines and medical aids, prevention support, a mobile app or remote consultations. Examples: VšZP – Peňaženka zdravia programme, Dôvera – medicine contributions for families with children, Union – remote doctor consultations. Conditions change – check them on the insurer’s website.

How to choose

• Does the insurer have a contract with my doctor?
• Which benefits will my family and I actually use?
• Does it have a clear app, online services and accessible support?
• What limits, deadlines and conditions apply to the benefits?

Do not choose based on advertising or a single benefit. First check that doctors near you work with the insurer, then compare the extras.

Doctor

• General practitioner – your first point of contact. You must sign an agreement on the provision of care with them. If they refuse you, ask your insurance company for help.
• Paediatrician – for children and young people up to 19.
• Gynaecologist – you can go without a referral.
• Specialist – you usually need a referral from your GP.
• Dentist – even with insurance you pay part of some treatments.
• Emergency service – outside surgery hours. If life is in danger, call 155 or 112.

To be added: verified private clinics and polyclinics with Vietnamese- or English-speaking staff.

How to find a clinic

1. Decide which doctor you need. If unsure, start with a GP.
2. Search – the list of contracted doctors on your insurer’s website, the e-VÚC portal (health districts by address) or recommendations from people you know.
3. Call or email to ask whether the clinic accepts new patients.
4. Before the visit, check the date, address, documents needed, whether you need a referral (výmenný lístok), any fees and which results to bring.

Phrases for the phone

• „Dobrý deň, prijímate nových pacientov?“ – Hello, do you accept new patients?
• „Máte zmluvu s mojou zdravotnou poisťovňou?“ – Do you have a contract with my insurer?
• „Potrebujem odporúčanie od všeobecného lekára?“ – Do I need a referral from a GP?
• „Hovorí niekto v ambulancii po anglicky alebo vietnamsky?“ – Does anyone here speak English or Vietnamese?

Phoning in Slovak is hard? Send an email or ask someone you trust. If clinics turn you away, your insurer or the self-governing region can help.

Pharmacy

• ePrescription – the doctor sends the prescription electronically. At the pharmacy your insurance card is enough.
• Co-payments – you pay part of the price for many prescription medicines.
• Without prescription – medicines for pain, fever or colds can be bought directly at the pharmacy. The pharmacist will advise you.
• Emergency pharmacies are open at night and at weekends too.

How to collect an ePrescription

1. Go to a pharmacy – you usually do not need a paper prescription.
2. Show an ID – ID card, eID or insurance card. With another document, ask in advance what is accepted.
3. Say the medicine’s name, or that your doctor prescribed it – the pharmacist will check.
4. Ask about the co-payment and a cheaper alternative.

Out of stock? Repeat prescriptions

• Not available – the pharmacy can often order it. If it cannot be obtained, contact the prescribing doctor.
• Repeat ePrescription – for long-term treatment the doctor can issue a prescription you collect repeatedly without a new visit.

Phrases at the pharmacy

• „Dobrý deň, mám predpísaný elektronický recept.“ – Hello, I have an electronic prescription.
• „Koľko budem za liek doplácať?“ – How much will I pay?
• „Máte tento liek skladom? Viete mi ho objednať?“ – Do you have it in stock? Can you order it?
• „Ako mám liek užívať?“ – How should I take it?

Do not change the medicine or the dose yourself. If you are unsure how much, when, or whether with food – ask the pharmacist or doctor. Never guess the dose.

When I don’t understand the doctor

• Bring someone who speaks Slovak, or use a translation app on your phone.
• You have the right to information about your health and treatment. Say that you don’t understand and ask for an explanation.
• Do not sign anything (e.g. informed consent) until you understand it.
• Prepare sentences in advance – see phrases at the doctor’s.

To be added: contacts for interpreters and community assistants.

Write down before the visit

• what hurts or bothers you and since when,
• how often it happens and what makes it worse or better,
• which medicines you take,
• allergies and other health problems.

Whatever you cannot say in Slovak, write in Vietnamese and prepare a translation in advance.

Useful phrases

• „Prepáčte, nerozumiem. Môžete mi to vysvetliť jednoduchšie?“ – Sorry, I don’t understand. Can you explain it more simply?
• „Môžete, prosím, hovoriť pomalšie?“ – Could you speak more slowly, please?
• „Čo presne mám urobiť po vyšetrení?“ – What exactly should I do after the examination?
• „Kedy mám prísť na kontrolu?“ – When should I come for a check-up?
• „Čo mám robiť, ak sa môj stav zhorší?“ – What should I do if I get worse?

Repeat in your own words what you understood – the doctor or nurse will confirm. It is fine to ask for an explanation more than once.

Before leaving the clinic, know

• the next steps and whether more tests are needed,
• how to take your medicines,
• when to come for a check-up,
• which symptoms mean you must seek help immediately.

Interpreting is not guaranteed in every clinic – ask in advance. With sensitive topics think about privacy, and a child should not be the main interpreter for their parent.

Frequently asked questions